May 19, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Another warm day with a “fast” track … Some stretch headwind to start … SEAL O’NEILL, calmer early this week, had a great second-over trip, three-wide early on the far turn, could draw away from these. The next six were within a half length, fronted by COXCOMB, who was wide leaving when he made a break, caught the field, broke again off the second turn, recovered again, didn’t tip wide until midstretch and was still seventh with 100 feet to go, but closed past a big pack to grab second. CHUCK THE CHEESE was looped leaving and parked with cover to the 3/16, then on to gain the front past the first turn, backed off the half then was under hustling tactics the rest of the way, held pretty well. JK’S PILOT was first-up into turn two, gave the leader a hard challenge from the 5/8 onwards, held well. SVENGALI was third-over, three-wide slightly off cover far turn, steadily. RACINWITHEWIND made the lead 3/16, yielded for the pocket. Pocono Pike, missed a half length for second but didn’t get a check. WESTERN WALTZ left, yielded, a bit loose before the ¾, deep Pike, OK late. RIPPLESONTHEBEACH broke at the start.
SECOND RACE – BET ON BLAKE left well, yielded 5/16 and had a good ride in the two-hole, to the Pocono Pike and drew off. CAPTAIN MY CAPTAIN was five-wide before the first turn, three-wide to the 1/8, and on top 5/16, had to really speed up (with the wind) down the back to meet the pressure of the first-up, held second in another race with the horses behind the winner well-clustered (the next six were within a length at the wire). TERRY A HANOVER took an early tuck, third-in, evenly. STIENAM’S BEACH came first-over into turn two, went a big third quarter to press the leader, held OK. GUINNESS PANIC stayed in from last, had some pace in the Pike. JACKIE MOON suffered early “b.e.”, was third-over but gapped in the quick third panel, OK at the wire. BEACH FORECAST stayed tight second-over, three-wide late turn, not enough at crunch time. FULL MOON BEACH didn’t enter contention.
THIRD RACE – PLAY THE FIELD went to early command, yielded to sit the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, to the lead midstretch, had just enough to hold off DRAGON STRIKES. The latter got an early spot then had a good second-over trip, three-wide late turn, found his best strides a bit too late to take it all. MANNY was looped early, worked up to the lead 5/16, had pressure, not quite enough in the latter stages. ALI tucked third, came first-overland before the 9/16 and pressed the leader, couldn’t sustain the forward move. INDIGO ART sat in, not enough pace. MUDVILLE gapped, was moving a little better nearing the finish. ROLLIN IN NEW YORK was last, lost ground much of the last half.
FOURTH RACE – MISS MCKEE was parked just past a good opening quarter, rated the half then sped up when challenged, had enough to keep on rolling to the wire. KENOGAMI COCO was a little rough past the start and got away sixth, second-over and left a small gap, then wide and good late. CRAZYCAT rode third-in, locked in on the turn, to the deep Pocono Pike and gained. SHADRACK HANOVER started raw 3/8 and speed-grinded, advanced to the stretch then backed off some. SORTIE was third-over, came between horses in tight quarters midstretch and had trot. PAPI HANOVER took the lead early, yielded off the first bend, a little loose in the pocket the last ¼. DARTY, a bit off the gate, was last throughout.
FIFTH RACE – PREMIER ROCKSTAR was three-wide to the 3/16 then accepted the pocket at the ¼, waited, to the Pocono Pike, right on by to win handily. KILLER MARTINI started uncovered into the second turn and got cover at the other end of the curve, three-wide midturn, good race. LYONS AMUSEMENTS was looped early, had a hole shut on him and had to tuck back fourth, had space to get tighter inside down the back but didn’t, fair late inside. LEAR SEELSTER was last, angled out behind the place horse then inside him deep stretch to show pace finishing. LEGAL POWER wanted the lead, slowed the half then sped up, still not much in the lane. OWEN shut a hole 3/16, then uncovered of turn two, but didn’t pose a serious threat.
SIXTH RACE – THAT OLE BAR STOOL left for the pocket, pulled 11/16 and went right by, named his margin and likely will be facing better shortly after this fast mile. TOP ME OFF got cover 5/8 and worked in a good flow, continued on well late. MISTER BOINGA went in third to the 3/16, outside 5/8, soon had cover but lost it ¾, inside stretch, not very far off second at all. CHAPOLIER was six-wide when looking over at other leavers and decided to take back to last, made up a lot of ground in a race better than the line may suggest. WHAT A DAME gapped early, couldn’t go this much. TRAIN never entered the picture. CREDIT CON was right to the top, powerless when the leader came to him to the ¾ and faded. MON AMOUR was never a factor.
SEVENTH RACE – ROGERTHAT BLUECHIP stated his intention to cut the pace with a 25.3 opener, moderated the half but had to get into a much higher gear when the winner came first-over, got that one to back off, then stayed game to defeat inside rival SEXY BLUE CHIP in 1:49.2, fastest mile of the year at Pocono. The latter left and took the pocket, stayed close, battled strongly to the line in the Pocono Pike but couldn’t catch the strong winner. CAVIART MAX started uncovered 3/8, speed-grinded his third split in 26.1 fighting the leader, was shaken off on the turn and retreated to third-inside, far ahead of the rest. BELLOWS BINGE kept a hole closed early, gapped most of the last half. AMERICA’S GUEST was second-over but couldn’t go with cover (no wonder with a 1:21.1 3/4s). BEVANS CULLEN N was always far back. TUXEDO BAY was three-wide to the 3/16 then took back to fourth after very hard usage to the ¼, tired.
EIGHTH RACE – QUEEN OF ALL made the top at the 1/8, set a fast pace keeping a challenging foe parked, didn’t have either of the stretch contenders pose a major threat. RED REDEMPTION let for the pocket and stayed tight until the ¾, looked all-out in the last quarter and did just hold second over DAGON HANOVER. The latter tucked at the 1/8, moved out 5/8 and was soon sweeping three-wide to get to two-wide uncovered 11/16, challenged, held on pretty well. NEWSBOY was shuffled some, passed the others. TRICKY DICK gapped the last half. BOASTER COASTER never factored. PRACTICAL CAT was four-wide leaving, three-wide to the 1/8, then left out in the air, actually had a short lead 3/8 but the winner went enough to keep him out, faded late backstretch. NIGHT FLYER K disconnected the last half.
NINTH RACE – LITTLEBITASWAGGER moved from third off the second turn and went 27 down the back to clear 11/16 and go off to a decisive victory. RYCROFT N was caught in and shuffled then backed out to join the flow after the winner was gone, four-wide off the far turn and closed well. TRENTE DEO came out behind a horse who couldn’t stay with the winner’s cover, three-wide late turn, won a picture for third. JUST A WRANGLER sat in and was shuffled significantly, outside in a blindswitch late turn, cleared in a thin seam to the left of the show horse midstretch and finished with pace. BOBBY K HILL went right to the lead, yielded in a quick quarter for the pocket, didn’t have too much the last quarter. WELL DONE SON was uncovered 3/8 then got cover behind the winner early backstretch but could not go with him. HEARTLANDBANYSBRO was four-wide early, to two-wide by the 1/8 and made the lead before the fast quarter, moderated the half, but couldn’t answer the move of the winner late backstretch. ARTISTS RUFFLES didn’t have enough the last 3/8.
TENTH RACE — J M MANDAMIN left well from the rail, pushed a foe past the ¼ then yielded for the pocket and waited, went to the Pocono Pike and quickly took over, then held off TITO ROCKS to his left. The latter protected forward position early, stayed in, to the deep Pike and closed well. ISLAND OF THE SEA was three-wide from third-over ¾, finished strongly. CAPTAIN ROMANCE looked at leaving but took back to tuck fourth, started uncovered 9/16 and speed-grinded up, gave some ground from early stretch. CAVIART LUCA stayed in and was shuffled to last, had to angle to the extreme outside midstretch and finished with pace. I’LL DRINK TO THAT was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide just past a fast quarter to get the lead, went on, tired in the lane. I’M A GIGOLO N was last, stayed inside and finished with some power. REBELLIOUS was second-over but gapped to the ¾.
ELEVENTH RACE – GO WEST GO FAST was the only hard outside leaver and was on top into turn one, set the pace without pressure, had some foes narrowing in late but prevailed, again claimed for a Pocono-record $40,000. BAMSKI was fourth-in, gapped far turn, then angled wide early stretch, hit overdrive midstretch and wasn’t too far off at the line at 45-1. BRAVO TEX N tucked, then was uncovered into turn two, never reached the pocket horse’s wheel until midturn, continued on very gamely. IDEAL WHEEL was away well and got the pocket trip, not quite enough. MAJOR DESIRE stayed inside, not gaining along the inside late. JUST N ACE was behind gapping cover with little chance. TULLOW N was not heard from. WESTERN TYRANT needed most of the quarter to settle in, then was again underway second-over towards turn two, but gapped his cover.
TWELFTH RACE – CARLISIMO was pushed past a fast quarter to get the lead, slowed the half, then stepped it up in a major way to deal with the first-over BETTOR MEMORIES down the back and through the turn, was able to slowly edge away from that tough foe from midstretch. The latter vacated third raw at the half and came with everything he had, paced his own third quarter in 25.4 and got a head up ¾ but couldn’t clear, backed off a little late but well ahead of the rest after a giant outing. AMERICANLIGHTNINGN was out of there quickly, pushed the fast quarter then yielded, stayed pretty well connected behind the wild duel in the third quarter, fell back some in the last 1/8 but still held third. WAR-N-MUNN tucked, briefly out then back in at the half, gapped in the lightning third split, outside late turn, evenly late. TOWN GOSSIP was uncovered from next-to-last into turn two but was in another time zone on the outside down the back, did get the last check. THE OTHER THREE were beyond midpack throughout and never in the main picture. … There was a general inquiry after the race which yielded no placings.
THIRTEENTH RACE – LETS ROLL took the top past the 1/8, ceded the lead in front of the grandstand and waited in the pocket, had room to move outside headstretch and outsprinted these by a decisive margin. FRISKIE ALL NITE pulled from third 5/8 and gained a little, couldn’t keep the winner locked in, did catch CAVIART ROCKLAND for second. The latter was in front going into the initial curve, yielded, retook to the 3/8, set the pace without pressure but didn’t have the necessary speed coming home. HE’S ELECTRIC gained some early backstretch, blocked on the far turn, edged out headstretch and grabbed the next spot. MACH WEST left a gap throughout the second half. TWIN B FIGHTER had major traffic woes. CLASSIFIEDMATERIAL was uncovered into turn two, gained a little but stopped gaining when getting cover just past the 5/8. DOUBLEORNOTHING N was outside but had little to offer.
FOURTEENTH RACE – JL CRUZE was looped early and methodically worked his way to the lead past the ¼, rated the half, was not in serious doubt. RICH AND MISERABLE got position leaving, gaped slightly as the backstretch pace quickened, then was blocked midturn as the pocketsitter started to falter, clear headstretch and a clear second. MARION GONDOLIER also was trapped in late far turn, shook loose and had trot to be third. DEE’S RED DELICIOUS had dull cover second-over, wide late far turn and had some on the end. SYLVESTERAMERICAIT moved uncovered into turn two, never got close to the main action. BEERTHIRTY K went right out to take over, yielded to the winner, stayed close to the ¾, then was tired. P L NOTSONICE had settled into a tuck then broke 3/16.
May 14, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Warm, with the stretch tailwind that has been prevalent all week … BUZZ headed on down the road, far superior to these. DYLAN THE GREAT left but took back to third, moved outside ¾, just held onto second over PRAIRIE VIRTUE. The latter was locked in much of the last half by a parked horse, came along well up the inside late. DUDELOOKSLIKELINDY gapped in quarter two, tighter, outside late turn, not that much. WILLIE B WORTHY defended the pocket early, went loose ¾ and broke headstretch, taken to the infield, resumed trotting, placed for a violation of the breaking rules. TEDDY BROSEVELT moved uncovered into turn two but never got close.
SECOND RACE – BEACH BOOGIE was uncovered past the 3/8, fought with the pacesetter a long way, then started to draw clear midstretch. JAGGER ROCKS got the top past the 1/8, kept up a quick pace with second-half pressure, gave ground only in the last 1/16. DIVINE RIGHT was fourth-over behind two gappers, three-wide ¾, made up a good bit of ground. FOUR-STAR FLASH sat in and was shuffled on the far turn, came clear headstretch when the pocket horse bore out, OK recovery. REGAL ESCAPE gapped in quarter two then moved third-over, gapped cover as well. SPECTRUM was three-deep to the first bend, went in the two-hole before the ¼, kept up to the ¾, bore out in the lane. LUZIANA never featured. MCNEILL Z TAM couldn’t stay tight on cover second-over in a fast mile for the bottom class.
THIRD RACE – HILL OF CASH S got away sixth from the rail but already was on the move uncovered before the 3/16 to the lead just past the 3/8, lengthened her lead to insurmountable at the ¾ and beyond insurmountable by the top of the stretch, very fast time. CRUSHWORTHY went up to the early pocket, came outside 11/16 to go around the unplugged pocket horse and tucked in the “pocket” midturn, held second over RHEIA ROSE. The latter got going on the far turn and circled horses, inside headstretch, OK late. LILYBET got a forward spot early, gapped midrace then was pinned in late backstretch and through the turn, backed out and passed tired horses. WILD KAT G was uncovered 5/8 and soon got cover, but couldn’t gain. GHIBLI disconnected from the bulk of the field the last half. SHEZABARHOPPINCHIC went to the front 3/16, gave up the lead nearing the second turn and lost ground with every step of the back half.
FOURTH RACE – MR MCDREAMY was three-wide to the 1/8 en route to the top at the ¼, yielded to the retaker and sat the trip, to the Pocono Pike and made the lead before midstretch, just enough to withstand JAMAICAN COWBOY. The latter moved third-over 5/8, three-wide with cover on the turn, wider yet in the lane and moving well late to just miss. SPIDER MAN HANOVER moved uncovered off turn two and gradually ranged up, pretty good race. SOMWHERENBROOKLN N went second-over, three-wide midturn, outpaced home. BEACHMASTER TWO was near the back throughout. SPINOUT controlled a not-too-fast pace with two moves, tired through the stretch.
FIFTH RACE – IN A TINY WAY quarter-moved to 3/8 command, held off a long challenge from ELEGANT CHARM in impressive fashion and in a fast time for maiden trotters. The latter came out before the 5/8, reached the leader before the 11/16 and fought with that one until early stretch, couldn’t quite reach but didn’t give up any ground while way ahead of the others. PRAIRIE TRINKET was three-wide to the 1/8 clearing to the lead, yielded, passed BOINGALICIOUS for the very distant third. The latter was looped while between horses, took over near the ¼ then yielded to the winner, fell back to the ¾. HURRICANE BLUES and KEYSTONE HONEY B were disconnecting coming off the second turn. BETTER SINCE miscued late on the first turn.
SIXTH RACE – AMERICAN CLASSIC was three-wide early, tucked third at the 1/8, on the move at the half and paced his third quarter in 27, had the lead late backstretch and through much of the turn but was not allowed to go by and cross over, still could draw away. SILVERSTONE refused to yield early, then refused to yield when the winner made a big move down the backstretch and through the turn, finally could not defend against that one but game to last for second. HURRIKANE MON AMI left, took the two-hole 3/16, stayed pretty well connected to the dueling leader down the back, moved outside for the stretch, finished steadily. QUARANTINI was not close most of the mile, went around a gapper far turn then ducked inside, finished solidly. GO GO DIGGY SCHMO gapped at several points. ARTY’S ON TIME, a little off the gate, was never a factor. BLAZING BLACK got away last and never improved on that position.
SEVENTH RACE – HAMPTONS BABE stayed out in the two-path early, on the move before the quarter to the lead and kept up a quick pace, had a long fight with TIME TO ROAR from before the ¾ but prevailed nicely. The latter tucked 3/16, was told it was again time to roar before the ¾ and moved right up to challenge, extended the winner while doing very well. KELE KELE forced a tuck early, yielded to the winner, stayed close to midturn, then retained third. COVENANT WOMAN came out far turn, didn’t have enough. YOUNONOTHINJON went evenly. NO FOOLIN gapped a little early, moved outside into the second turn but broke before the half.
EIGHTH RACE – SPY BOOTH came through three-wide at the start and made the lead before the 1/8, went a fast half then got a breather against the wind in the third split, drew away from midstretch. MUSCLE HALL was the innermost of three leavers and wound up in the pocket, stayed close into the stretch then tired some in a fast mile but was well ahead for second. BIG BEN HANOVER circled a gapper down the backstretch, then circled another one late for the distant third. SOUTHWIND CAINE sat third, began inching backwards ¾. CHROME PACKAGE, off the gate, started gapping at the 3/8. ANDOVERTHEWINNINGS came through quickly at the start and was between horses when going offstride nearing the first curve.
NINTH RACE – ODDS ON GAMMA left sharply and crossed over before the first turn, in control of this race throughout. BLAZING RAMONA sat in the pocket, raced well but not the match of the winner while far ahead of the rest. TEEN DREAM came uncovered before the 5/8, never reached major contention but did outfoot COME ZOOM WITH ME for third. The latter left a bit of a gap to midbackstretch then was closer to the top two, but fell back again in the last quarter. SWEET GADGETS broke just before the start, caught the field but tired. CLASSIC SPIRIT fell far back in the last half.
TENTH RACE – CURBSIDE PICKUP moved early from the pocket and controlled the pace, unthreatened most of the last half. WOLFTRAX spotted fourth 3/16, then was second-over, three-wide before headstretch, looked to want to run in upper stretch then straighter and gained for second. WAR OF WILL slotted third early, outside raw 5/8 but never got close to the winner, caught for second near the end. MELANIE’S NICK took the early lead then let the winner go, not enough in the latter stages. LATEST ATTRACTION was third-over but never prominent. THE OTHERS were the last three all the way around.
ELEVENTH RACE – STARVIN MARVIN made the pocket at the 1/8 and sat tight behind a prolonged duel, to the Pocono Pike and a clear winner. HEREITIZ got away sixth of seven from the rail then was behind a gapper 3/8, went to the rail down the backstretch, didn’t have room inside until midstretch and then came on for second. ARCHANGEL THREE was quickly on top, got one foe to tuck then battled with another from not far off the first turn all the way to mid-far turn in fast fractions, held OK. WON LAST FEELING was three-wide to the 1/8 and then left out in the air, challenged hard for the lead, held very well after the grueling journey. BILBO HANOVER swung widest from last, didn’t threaten though the pace was slowing. HEARTBEAT HILL gapped second-over, went three-wide late on the turn to little avail. CENTURY ENFORCER gapped badly at the 3/8 in the fast tempo, never entered contention.
TWELFTH RACE – ROLLINWITHAMBITION got away third, was able to get a great trip going into the pocket when the pocketsitter pulled before the 5/8, to the Pocono Pike and beat ‘em all in a blanket finish. HURRIKANE GEORGIE was four-wide to the first turn, then two-wide to the top just past the ¼, had intense pressure from before midbackstretch but never let the outside horse get by, almost lasted to the finish. LOVE THE BLUES N was three-wide early, made the lead past the 1/8, yielded for the pocket, came out before the 5/8 to challenge and had the lead for a good part of the last half, held well after a hard journey. KAUAI KING started uncovered but then got cover when the two-holer went out, wide just before headstretch and steadily to the line. DIVISION BELL eased out off the second turn, third-over, finished with pace, placed for carrying a rival out past the half. MONTANA CHIEF A was on the move on the second turn, briefly three-wide off turn two as a foe moved out then back to fourth-over, stayed in a blindswitch position on the turn, not clear but looking to be pacing what he could late. MR PROFETA was last-over, very wide in the lane, didn’t miss by that much from a very difficult spot.
THIRTEENTH RACE – REYS N A RUCKUS came through at the start and grabbed the lead, slowed the second quarter, had some pressure late backstretch but shook that off and drew clear. SPORTS TEEN left between horses to the pocket at the 1/8, loose in the pocket from the 5/8 but just held second over RUFFLE UP. The latter moved uncovered into turn two, moved up in quarter three, flattened some but battled for second to the line. GOLDEN GESTURE sat in, gapped ¾. SOLARCTIC was second-over, was three-wide from the 11/16, not much in the last 1/8. THE OTHER PAIR were at the rear throughout.
FOURTEENTH RACE – NICE STUFF, unhurried early, was second-over, tucked in the pocket on the far turn, angled wide in the stretch and paced over the two in front of him easily. BROOKROAD MASTER got out in the good flow, left uncovered towards midturn, along for second. HOT SUMMER KNIGHT went up to a 3-tuck just past the 3/16 in the fast quarter, came uncovered at the half and grinded to the lead 11/16, couldn’t sustain the advantage. CHOCOLATE MATTERS gapped much of the way, passed the tired early battlers. CAMPBELLINI went to the lead then yielded to sit the two-hole, shuffled significantly when the pacesetter caved in late backstretch, outside on the turn, made some recovery. AFFAIR OF HONOR went on after the lead, got it 3/16 in a 26.4 quarter, rated the half but the hard early work caught up to him late on the backstretch. HORNS FOR THREE was a bit rank behind the gate before making a break approaching the start.
May 11, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Mid to low 60s; stretch tailwind … PRIMARY COLORS worked up to the lead 3/16, rated the half and went on without pressure, snapped home in 27 to hold off DONTPASSME HANOVER. The latter finally settled in fifth 3/16, then was second-over, three-wide past midturn, gained into the fast last quarter but couldn’t reach. CAPTAIN KEEN was uncovered at the half, one-geared it very steadily. MOVE THE LINE took over early then yielded to sit in the pocket, couldn’t muster enough of a response in the sprint home. BARRYWHITE HANOVER sat in, Pocono Pike, evenly. BULLVILLE JONATHAN was third-over, four-wide towards headstretch, tough spot. PARKLANE TERROR gapped a bit inside in the last half. MAJOR SHOW gapped fourth-over.
SECOND RACE – YOUMAKEMYHEARTSING was uncovered into turn two, went 27.3 down the back against the wind to enter contention, kept on coming, and was game to make everything groovy for his scattered backers. PARMESAN N wrested command 3/16, yielded to the 3/8 and sat in the pocket, Pocono Pike, didn’t seem to have much of an excuse, only second in the last stride. LINCOLN JAMES was outside with cover early, lost that cover to a break at the ¼ and then was hustled up to take over 3/8, had pressure, held well. ROCK THREE TIMES was carried up nicely second-over, only evenly in the last 1/8. DO WORK SON was third-over but gapped, returned with “b.e.” ROGERS IMAGE was wide early, with cover to the 3/16, then broke going forward at the ¼. THNDRFRMTHETHRON N pushed away well, yielded, couldn’t jeep up at the 5/8. BULLVILLE TERROR lost gait early.
THIRD RACE – JERICHO DIVA initially stayed in then backed out to follow advancing cover, went three-wide towards the ¾ when the cover didn’t continue gaining, left three-wide the entire turn, finished well to defeat SUNRISE HANOVER to her far inside. The latter was three-deep past the 1/8 and went on to the top, yielded to the favorite for the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, good, but the winner may have had a momentum edge. PRICELESS SHADOW moved uncovered from last into a benign middle half, didn’t reach the leader until the stretch, but kept to her task to the wire. CRUSIN THRU TIME left between horses and was looped, took over 5/16 and didn’t have a hard pace to contend with, but still didn’t have enough. RELLA TIVITY backed out to third-over but didn’t enter the main picture. TSM ARTEMIS T stayed in and was shuffled to last, not that much late. SPEAKING OF COFFEE was the innermost of the leavers, yielded, couldn’t threaten late.
FOURTH RACE – PAROLA HANOVER flashed some gate speed, then was underway just before the ¼ to take over control, tons the best in here. BOASTER COASTER was between horses to 1/8 command, got an opponent to tuck, yielded to the winner, was loose in the pocket from the 11/16 but still was clearly second-best. BY A HOFF HANOVER was three-wide to the first turn, tucked second 3/16, in gapped to the 5/8, still held third. COUNT CHOCALOT gapped second-over then was closer to the ¾, three-wide late turn, next. CRAZY FOR CJ got the final payday. SLEW FOOT was third-over, three-wide with cover far turn, didn’t get in the picture. NANCY BAR was always far back. ARMANI HANOVER was first-up into turn two, challenged down the back, then fell back significantly in the last ¼.
FIFTH RACE – XMARXTHESPOT went away wide to get the lead at the 1/8, pushed a foe to the 5/16 then yielded for the two-hole, to the Pocono Pike and snapped right by. BUILDING BOOST was between horses early and looped, carried on to take over 5/16, had a strong challenge down the back, shook that one off but couldn’t handle the late threat to his left. BUCHANNON HANOVER was second-over, gapped from midbackstretch to the turn, wide into the lane and got up for third. HUNTING FOR MILES went uncovered before the half, paced in 27.4 vs. the wind to make a big challenge, couldn’t quite sustain that move late. BARRIER was third-over 11/16, had belated pace. HURRIKANE JUNIOR left from the rail, yielded, started gapping past the 5/8. BACK IN MY DAY gapped at the back. OUTWIT OUTRUN did run 3/16.
SIXTH RACE – PATRICK PALEMA was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide to the front 5/16, yielded into turn two for the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, won much more easily than the margin suggests. BEER CHEESE was involved in the early fight for position, moved out at the ¼, lost cover 5/16 and made the lead into turn two, got a breather in quarter three, held well but was second-best. TSM PRINCE TRISTAN went between horses to the lead at the 1/8, yielded, stayed third-in, preserved that position to the line. TARGET PRACTICE left a big gap from before the ¼ that he closed to the 5/8, fair late. SUNSEEKER HANOVER moved outside before the ¾ to little avail. LUXURY BRAND made a break past the 1/8. ROSE ABOVE IT was far back when miscuing on turn two.
SEVENTH RACE – WICKEDLY INNOCENT quarter-moved to control the tempo, left the field strung out with a 27.3 third quarter vs. the wind, might have had a challenge from SHIPNSTROL HANOVER but that one bore out in the stretch, leaving the winner clear. The latter pushed away from the rail for early command, yielded for the pocket, looked ready to take her shot and did pace pretty well but bore out, hurting her chances. TSM WESTERN SOUL moved uncovered before the 11/16, showed a very strong stretch kick. SOME KINDA ANGEL tucked, stayed reasonably close, not a bad mile. BYGONE HANOVER and CATIE FAYE HANOVER did not factor; TINOS BADGIRL was also far back when breaking before the ¾.
EIGHTH RACE – TREACHEROUS DRAGON was unhurried until coming first-over off the second turn, gradually moved up, then asked headstretch and responded with a tremendous late kick, coming home in 54.1-26.3 most impressively. SWEET KISSES bolted away to an immediate lead, yielded to a brusher to sit the pocket, a bit loose far turn when the tempo increased, then herself found a better gear in the Pocono Pike and got up for second over BET ON THE BAY. The latter quarter-moved from third to 3/8 command and got a breather to the half, picked it up some when the winner came calling, to her credit came home in 55.2-27.1 and still had to settle for third. ONECROOKEDLEG was second-over, couldn’t gain in the sprint home. SMUGGLE TINA was third-over, gapped ¾, wide with some speed late. CAVIART CARMEL went out to land in the pocket, fell back in the stretch. IDEALINFUN trailed throughout.
NINTH RACE – TRAIN was away well, yielded but quarter-moved and slowed the half, had no challengers and won handily. KASEVILLE was three-deep to turn one, in third 3/16, locked in on the far turn, waited for midstretch clearance to his right and finished solidly. PADRE went to early command, yielded for the pocket, not enough trot in the latter stages. BLESSINGSANDFAVOR moved uncovered before the 11/16 but did not reach the leader. GOLDEN GLIDER came out second-over but gapped. SCIROCCO BIG JOHN broke early, caught the field, but then broke again down the back.
TENTH RACE – SILENT CROSSING was three-wide early to the lead at the 1/8, yielded for the two-hole and stayed close, Pocono Pike, didn’t look like she was going to make it as late as past midstretch, but surged at the very end. SOUTHWIND JAVA was four-wide before the first turn, crossed over to two-wide and made the lead 3/16 in a fast quarter, radically slowed quarter two then stepped it up as a challenger came calling, disposed of that one, maintained a solid lead until very late. GALLERIA HANOVER left, moved at the half and challenged the leader hard, held her ground quite well. HEARTBREAK HOTEL sat in, under a hold staying in on the second turn, gapped late backstretch, won a three-way picture for fourth. SHADOWS DANCERS went raw into turn two and got cover at the other end of the bend, wasn’t tight on cover from the 5/8. ACRIMONY was last, moving OK at the end.
ELEVENTH RACE – MUSHANA left very hard and was pushed very hard past a fast ¼ before taking command 5/16, kept on rolling stringing the field out a long way, met a challenge on the far turn, easily strided away late. VOLARE moved out of third before the ¾ and went up to the leader, not that one’s equal but held second over KEYSTONE THUNDER. The latter gapped during the fast opener then got tighter, to the Pocono Pike and had some trot. BULLY BOY pushed the winner past the fast opener and yielded, stayed close until the stretch, then backed off. THE OTHER DUO did not make their presence felt.
TWELFTH RACE – A BETTER GAME was outside before ALTA MADEIRA N cleared to the lead, went on to take over 3/8 and continued hot fractions, briefly drew clear turning for home but saw that rival coming back on and was extended to prevail. ALTA MADEIRA N was out with cover early, briefly three-wide past the 1/8 as her cover took back to tuck, used past a fast ¼ to get command, yielded for the pocket, came on menacingly late in a very big mile. SKYY went on to command, pushed a foe past the fast opener, yielded, third-in, had stretch clearance, looked all-out but did stay close. WHO’S SMOKIN N gapped 3/8, moved second-over in a nonflowing flow, three-wide far turn, closed well. DRESDEN was third-over and four-wide headstretch, moving fastest of all at the wire but was too far behind. GALLERIA GAL went uncovered at the half but never got close. DELIGHTFUL SUMMER was wide early, got in fourth 3/16 in the quick initial panel, locked in, but couldn’t gain late with room. TSM PRINCESS TEDDI was off the gate and gapped in last.
THIRTEENTH RACE – Well-bunched most of the stretch … MOONLIGHTANDROSES came out, didn’t get cover at the half so went on only to pick up cover 5/8, three-wide midturn, got to the lead past midstretch, then just held off GRANT ME THIS. The latter was third-over and didn’t hesitate to go four-wide midturn, kept gaining (in a slowing last quarter) to come up just shy. ELLEOFADELI sat in, last ¾, outside in a blindswitch late turn, shifted over to the path behind the winner and gained without full clearance. CHIPPER DAISY was three-wide leaving, then was behind cover until coming off the first turn, went on to the lead 3/8, under pressure the last 3/8, tired some after hard use in fast fractions. TIAMOGONEDANCIN moved raw 5/8 and challenged, couldn’t sustain her bid. COOLNCALCULATING N was four-wide to the first turn, got to two-wide and went up to challenge, made the lead off the first turn then yielded 3/8 for the two-hole, no response late. TRAFFIC JAM was in the middle of one after an inside trip, blocked through the stretch and may have made her break out of frustration.
May 10, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – More like March instead of May: 43 degrees, and a “sloppy +1” racing surface … Stretch tailwind … THE WALL was looped between horses and went on to command past the ¼, yielded for the pocket, eased out headstretch, went to the lead just past midstretch and held off GUINNESS PANIC. The latter didn’t like his prospects from fourth-over so went three-wide 11/16, kept on gaining to be second to a trip horse. SEVENTH SECRET made two speed moves to control the throttle, couldn’t sustain the advantage to the wire. SPRINGBRIDGE DUEL was three-wide much of the quarter before reluctantly taking back to tuck fourth, was caught inside, fair to the wire with inside clearance. GRIFFON HANOVER was third-over, blindswitched then followed the three-wide move, up for the last check. SHINEONUCRZYDIAMND A never reached contention. STATEMENT MADE A defended early inside position, came out off the second turn, tired midturn. CIGAR SMOKIN TONY moved raw before the ½, soon got cover, gapped it, was blindswitched, not a late factor.
SECOND RACE – SEXY BLUE CHIP quarter-moved after a fast first panel, was clear the last 3/8. MUDVILLE was away slowly and left a big gap early, locked in, got to the Pocono Pike and had enough late kick for second. WESTERN WALTZ took over almost immediately, yielded to the winner, was getting loose in the two-hole 5/8, held third over RACINWITHEWIND. The latter left well for the early pocket, stayed in until moving out headstretch, evenly. SEAL O’NEILL was rank going to the gate, got in the outer flow, three-wide the far turn, closed in a mile better than the line may indicate. BEEBEETEE wound up second-over, three-wide around fading cover on the turn to two-wide, but himself had little left. FIRST GLANCE pulled raw from midpack 3/8, advanced some then dropped back a lot. RENO DINERO was gapping before the second turn.
THIRD RACE – AMERICANLIGHTNINGN was parked 3/16 for the lead, yielded for the pocket and was content to wait, had room inside the leader in the stretch and won handily. BET ON BLAKE stayed third-in, had a good inside burst very late to edge CAPTAIN MY CAPTAIN for second. The latter pushed and yielded, then retook, shook off the outer foes but bore out a bit and couldn’t save second. JACKIE MOON avoided the outer tiers to be next. SOUTHWIND PETYR was third-over, three-wide with cover on the turn then wider, finished with pace. ITALIAN LAD N moved raw to the second turn and made a significant backstretch challenge, but couldn’t sustain the move. LITERL LAD HANOVER was second-over, three-wide turn, little kick.
FOURTH RACE – CHAPOLIER went to the lead just past the ¼, let a foe go 3/8 to sit the pocket, came out late turn so as not to be pinched in, inherited the lead when the pacesetter broke and won handily. RED REDEMPTION pushed the ¼ and then saw two go by in quarter two, backed outside before the ¾, three-wide midturn, outtrotted the other for the major minor honor. PRACTICAL CAT followed the flowing three-wide outer tier, was closing well. TRICKY DICK was second-over, three-wide 5/8 when cover didn’t advance to two-wide 11/16, held evenly. NIGHT FLYER K left for the early pocket, stayed in, found room after the leader broke but didn’t have much punch late. TUIS SHADOW moved outside past the 5/16 and was left raw just past the 3/8, could offer little. ONE AFTER NINE left and was parked with cover until past the ¼, then went up to the lead just past the 3/8, set the pace, was getting right for a stretch fight but lost stride headstretch and went to the infield. SPREE broke early.
FIFTH RACE – ROLLIN IN NEW YORK was outside in a blindswitch late backstretch, then three-wide with cover on the turn, took the lead just past midstretch then held off CLASSIFIEDMATERIAL. The latter went to the early lead, yielded to the chalk for the pocket, then was caught behind that one when the wide tiers gained on the turn, had to back out then swing out widest, found a higher gear and was closing well in a very unfortunate mile. AMERICA’S GUEST was second-over, went three-wide before the ¾ and got to the lead late turn, couldn’t make the advantage stand up. CLASSIC PRO went uncovered before the half and put pressure on the leader, faded. HASH-TAG SWAG was looped, got to the front 3/16 in by far the fastest ¼ of the race, faced high heat the last 5/16, gave way an 1/8 out.
SIXTH RACE – SYLVESTERAMERICAIT left some, then was put into grind mode on turn two and challenged, had an advantage ¾ but couldn’t cross over to the pegs, but still proved the strongest late. CRAZY CAT was third-over and was backed up to last behind dull cover, three-wide late turn and made up plenty of ground in a slowing tempo. CUPID HANOVER left well, made the lead circling horses at the 1/8, yielded to an early brusher for the pocket, had room, OK+ along the inside late. PAPI HANOVER stayed in, angled wide for the drive and went on steadily. LADY’S IMAGE got the pocket between horses then moved to the top, had a hard battle with the winner from the half on while not letting that one to get totally by, weakened a bit late. LEVITATION was not a major danger. TUESDAY MORNING was well-positioned second-over but came up empty.
SEVENTH RACE – IDEAL WHEEL made two speed moves to 3/8 command, put the first-over in behind him ¾, went clear of that one, saw him make up late ground but not really threaten. ALI was looped and spotted fourth to the 3/16, moved uncovered 3/8, got to the pocket ¾, came on again in the stretch but wasn’t really menacing. WELL DONE SUN had fine cover, left uncovered past the ¾, couldn’t go with the top two but beat out the rest. DRAGON STRIKES stayed in, had to wait a long time to find room between horses in the stretch, then finished briskly. KILLER MARTINI had an excess of cover, three-wide ¾, finished steadily. BLOW A CLOUD N got early position off the top two, shuffled some, not that much late. THE BUS A was third-over, was blindswitched ¾ then gapped cover. SHOREVIEW left well to take the top 3/16, relinquished for the pocket, started getting loose 5/8 and kept fading.
EIGHTH RACE – SHADRACK HANOVER joined the outer flow to the second turn, went three-wide late on the backstretch and swept right by into the turn, opened up a huge advantage. MISTER BOINGA left some, started uncovered into turn two, got the lead at that turn’s end after the pacesetter broke, was swept by the winner ¾ but never the “new” first-over get by in holding the distant second. CHING CHING LUCKY went three-wide on the far turn and was just along for third. QUEEN OF ALL was second-over, left raw and then between horses to the ¾, held decently. DAGON HANOVER got backed up a little, didn’t enter the main picture. HURRIKANE WILLIE G made the pocket at the 1/8, “stayed in the pocket” early backstretch after the leader broke and a new horse took over command, tired late backstretch. BEYOND BELIEF gapped. BUXTON was on a speed mission, broke coming off the second turn.
NINTH RACE – PREMIER ROCKSTAR raced up to the pocket past the 1/8, was under a good hold behind duelers on the far turn, had room to angle out to three-wide headstretch, initially appeared to want to lug in but got straightened away and then took off from these. LITTLEBITASWAGGER left some, came out of third before the ¾ and challenged the leader, went on to win second in a photo. OWEN had flailing cover and went three-wide ¾, steadily late. LEGAL POWER was wide early, tucked in fourth, was going to come out at the half but rethought that strategy, evenly in the Pocono Pike. BEVANS CULLEN N sat in, not prominent. TOLLY-HO thought he was getting cover but was left raw when that horse ducked back in, never got close. BOBBY K HILL left quickly, kept up a good clip in the circumstances, nothing left in the last 1/8. LYONS AMUSEMENTS trailed at every call.
TENTH RACE – REBELLIOUS had a fine second-over trip, tipped three-wide headstretch and had the pace to get the job done. WAR-N-MUNN showed speed, inside, had to wait for the Pocono Pike then had a good response. CAPTAIN ROMANCE was third-over, four-wide in the lane, a little too far to come. MULLINAX was looped early, went on to get the lead before the ¼, didn’t have much pressure until late backstretch, couldn’t hold on. BETTOR MEMORIES also had a surfeit of cover, closed very well. MYKINDACHIP went right to command, yielded for the pocket, not much in the stretch. TOWN GOSSIP tucked midpack 3/16, then uncovered into turn two, gradually ranged up, was battling with the leader when breaking headstretch. HORSE never entered the picture.
ELEVENTH RACE – Wind has diminished … BRAVO TEX N looked at leaving but took back, then moved at the half, three-wide 5/8 to uncovered before the 11/16, challenged, wore down GO WEST GO FAST. The latter was three-wide to the 3/16 before settling third, came out before the early mover and took over in front of the stands en route to a fast half, just didn’t have quite enough today. MAJOR DESIRE left hard, needed to the 3/16 in a fast quarter to clear, yielded for the pocket, angled wide in the lane and went on determinedly to the wire. BAMSKI left well from the rail, yielded, came up the inside, OK. ROGERTHAT BLUECHIP tried to circle up into contention on the far turn but could not. WESTERN TYRANT was extremely wide early as almost everybody wanted to leave, took back but then started up at the ¼, briefly had cover then was again raw, was looped past the 5/8, not much late.
TWELFTH RACE – SCIROCCO ROB went straight to the top, got a nice breather in quarter two then really had to speed up to ward off a serious challenger, then was game to keep MYSTICAL WYNN at bay the length of the Pocono Pike. The latter raced into the pocket 3/16, had his shot up the inside, game but just couldn’t get by. ROBBIE PEV got a fine second-over trip, caught JUDGE BOB for third. The latter was uncovered 3/8, went 27.2 down the backstretch to battle head-to-head with the winner, continued that battle on even terms through the turn, backed off only a little late. MARION GONDOLIER stayed in, found some room between horses in tight quarters and gained. RICH AND MISERABLE backed out to third-over but didn’t have too much. KENOGAMI COCO went offstride past the start. SWEET HEART AS broke while not a factor past the 5/8.
THIRTEENTH RACE – Again a stretch tailwind … TRENTE DEO left and took control, had parked-the-mile horses coming at him most of the way, but kept going right to the wire. JUST N ACE kept a hole closed past the 1/8 then was pinned inside from before the ¼ all the way to mid-far turn, quickly angled three-wide, just had too far to come. TOWNLINE FLIGHT raced out to the pocket, was loose in same much of the way and gave the two-hole far turn, into the Pocono Pike and rallied back some. A STUD NAMED SAM was parked with cover until going three-wide 5/8 to two-wide 11/16, got into the two-hole midturn, had the overland route catch up with him in nonetheless a quality try. DREAM OF LUCK was also buried inside, fair late. HEARTLANDBANYSBRO found no early hole and was outside raw, looped past the 5/8 and tired. DERECHO was “third-over” in the early parked flow, blindswitched, never a factor. BEACH FIRE K tried to go three-wide from last but couldn’t gain contention.
FOURTEENTH RACE – INNISFALLEN had the pocket after a rival broke 3/16, was very loose in it to the ¾ then tightened in, outside to headstretch and an easy winner. BLENHEIM fired away from the far outside to get command at the 1/8, was on his own most of the way, stayed ahead of everybody but the winner. NEWSBOY moved out with cover midturn, finished well to just miss second. WHAT A DAME came outside ¾, started to go three-wide when the winner pulled then ducked all the way in, flattened a bit. POSSESS THE STONE unplugged late. SUNDANCEDIAMOND was uncovered towards turn two but never got close. CAN’T SAY NO was looped leaving but was advancing when making a break 3/16. BANZAI AS broke into the first turn and ran most of the rest of the way.
May 5, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Stretch headwind … BETTOR STRAIT N UP caused a “b.e.” recall … SWEET KISSES went into the pocket before the 3/16, waited until headstretch, then moved outside and paced away. DANCE TICKET took control from the pole, got a 1:00.1 middle half, was still outsprinted home, clearly second. SWEET AND FEISTY was uncovered into turn two, worked up gradually, held pretty well. IDEAL DESTINY was third-inside, not much late. TRULY gapped down the back, along for the last check. BETTOR STRAIT N UP never got close. TIP OF MY TONGUE got away midpack, fell back through the last half.
SECOND RACE – GOLDEN GESTURE spotted behind the early fighters, then moved second-over, left raw when the first-over went wide 11/16,went up to take over the lead midturn, easily. JAMAICAN COWBOY gapped cover, then had a good late rally that put him far clear in second. SPIDER MAN HANOVER joined the outer flow, got to second into the stretch, but was tiring. BJ’S GUY made two speed moves, set the pace challenged by two different horses, yielded midturn and fell back. CHANCELLORCULLEN N never surfaced; nor did BEACHMASTER TWO. CODE MEISTER was innermost of three leavers, yielded, on the move as soon as the retaker made the top just past the 3/8, bore out 11/16 and faded. PIG IRON was three-wide just past the 1/8, made the lead at the ¼ while rough-gaited, yielded for the pocket, had no forward gear the last ¼.
THIRD RACE – A PERFECT HELEN left between horses, tucked third, then was quarter-mover #2 to the lead 3/8, looked in control throughout. HEART MATTERS took the top, yielded, was QM#1, yielded again, stayed close to midstretch, good effort in a fast mile. MATTER OF TRUST made the lead just past the 1/8, saw two go by in quarter two, gapped some the last ¼. JAI ALAI S started raw before the 5/8, went up but then couldn’t sustain the move. RAVIOLI went out raw at the ½, got cover 5/8 but gapped. THE NEXT TWO were always near the back. HURRICANE BLUES started gapping before the second turn.
FOURTH RACE – RYCROFT N decided to use his geometric advantage and cut the pace, game in holding off the inside thrust of WINNING IS SWEET. The latter went out between horses, went into the pocket 3/16, took his shot in the Pocono Pike, good but second. JUST A WRANGLER started uncovered towards turn two, grinded up, held well. NIHILATED TRUTH had a good trip second-over but no late response. SEAL O’NEILL did not like being taken back at the start, came three-wide from fourth-over to the ¾, OK. BASS PLAYER was three-wide in the early stages, tucked third past the 1/8, started to gap past the 5/8. SOCIAL THEORIES was third-over, blindswitched, little once clear. MY FRISKIE BOY sat in and was never a factor.
FIFTH RACE – TEDDY BROSEVELT was well off the fast pace, first entered the picture far turn, swung widest and came on in the 31 kicker to be just up. MATT’S MUSCLES sat the pocket behind the quick tempo, outside late turn and gained the lead, did his best to the line while bearing out. MOON BRIDGE came out ¾, got cover on the turn and then was blindswitched, had to wait for clearance then found it inside the place horse midstretch, just missed. GREG moved outside on the turn and went three-high midturn, OK, looked in tight quarters late. FRAC gapped on the far turn, evenly in the Pocono Pike. FASHION WINNER gapped the last half. CHUCKY DE VIE shot to the top and set a very fast pace, little left late. CHOCO CHARLIE was three-wide towards turn one when breaking. … There was a general inquiry after the race; no placings were made.
SIXTH RACE – FRAZZLEBERRY yielded then came off the first turn to go to the top, under attack from PINEBUSHDRAGONROLL 5/8 and saw that one go by midturn, but stayed game and caught that rival up the inside. The latter gapped a bit much of the first half, then moved quickly going to the 5/8 to challenge, did cross over to the rail midturn, but wasn’t able to handle the resurgent winner. JOINT ACCOUNT was the only leaver, top 3/16, yielded, couldn’t go with the top two but was next-best. VARNEY moved with cover, gapped it late backstretch then was left raw, evenly. TSM BATMAN got the last check over BEACH CHIEF. STEWARDOFTHELAND was never in the picture. SPORTS TELLER was gapping by the 1/4, broke off turn two.
SEVENTH RACE – DYLAN THE GREAT quarter-moved, didn’t have any anxious moments on the lead and was Marcus Miller’s 4000th driving victory. WINGS UP was uncovered into turn two, went into the pocket left by a tiring horse ¾, did OK. NICE STUFF was three-wide early, raced into the pocket 3/16, shuffled behind a tiring one late backstretch, out into a blindswitch late turn, back inside and regained good ground. PHANTOM RUSTY backed out just past the 5/8, retucked third, not too much late. KEYSTONE SERGEANT had his cover break, went three-wide far turn, too far to come. BUTTER TOFFEE could offer little. LAZER JET was second-over, initially gapped then started to gain when breaking 9/16. HORNS FOR THREE left quickly to the top and put a foe in behind, yielded to the winner, all done 11/16.
EIGHTH RACE – WIN PLACE N SHOW tucked third at the 1/8, stayed in, found a small path between horses midstretch and responded well to squeeze through and get the decision. PROSPECTORS GOLD came out 3/8 looking like he wanted to circle a gapper and just kept going, came his last half in 56 and was trying to the wire – and this was only his first start. POWER RANKINGS made the lead past the 1/8 and set his own pace, couldn’t quite make the advantage stand up. GIBOR left and yielded to sit the pocket, into the Pocono Pike, couldn’t quite get there. ALL BETS DOWN backed outside to the ¾ but couldn’t keep up. MR UNTITLED was gapping by the 3/8.
NINTH RACE – MASSIVE OPULENCE left well, forced a tuck at the 1/8, and was clear of the only rival who could stay close the last half. WHAT THAT IS would have liked the top but had to settle for the two-hole at the 1/8, was loose in the pocket the last half but did well as he was f-a-r ahead of the others. CRITICAL MASS was three-wide leaving, took back to tuck fourth 3/16, got third late on the turn as a foe broke, and had to work to save it. O JONNIE was underway on turn two, got unhelpful cover 5/8, three-wide far turn, passed a couple. PONDA’S MUSCLE MAN did get a check. BIG BILL BREEZE moved outside 5/8 but never gained. NO NAME YANKEE lost contact the last half. SPIT AND VINEGAR left some for third, started to gap in that spot late backstretch, was very tired when making a break midturn and going to the infield.
TENTH RACE – ROUSER HANOVER tucked third at the 1/8 and sat off the fast pace, moved ¾ and went up on the turn, came home in 27.3 to leave these well in arrears. KJ HUNTER bolted out of the gate, enjoyed a clear lead most of the way until the winner came calling far turn, still could hold on for second. BELL FAMILY was far back off the second turn, moved three-wide 11/16 and was out in the three-path most of the way home, closed strongly to just miss second at 157-1. NIKI MINAJ left enough for the pocket but was loose most of the way, evenly late. HANDSOFFMYTITOS moved outside far turn but couldn’t make an impact. CAPTAIN KEN was hard to take back and put in a hole, no factor late. MELANIE’S NICK was off the gate and far back throughout. ROPE THE MOON was already significantly gapping early backstretch.
ELEVENTH RACE – RACINWITHTHEWIND had little early opposition for the lead, and in fact was in control most of the way, getting a little tired in the stretch but still went on gamely. SCRAPPIN GOLD was first-up into turn two, didn’t reach the leader and looked to be losing ground early stretch, but had a resurgence to the wire. BEACHESBECKONME left and took the two-hole, looked a little rank in the pocket 3/8 in a slow second quarter, went to the Pocono Pike, not quite enough. SPORTSMANSHIP was second-over, blindswitched on the far turn, found room to ease a little wider towards midstretch and finished OK. LOVE YOURSELF was third-in, looked to be trying the deep Pike but may not have had room and switched outside, blocked to the wire. IC A FREE SPIRIT was third-over but gapped, ducked back in, swung wide in the stretch and had some gain. PIRATES ALLEY was buried inside, not clear. WHATA TREASURE went three-wide past the 5/8 from fourth-over, flattened out in the lane.
TWELFTH RACE – BIG BEN HANOVER kept control from the pole and had too much speed for these, clear the last ½, had his mind kept to business late. TSM PRINCE TRISTAN got the pocket after an early challenger bore wide, became unconnected down the backstretch, tired but did hold on to second. DOLEMITE stayed flat, finished evenly. SPECIAL MISSION was outside midpack past the 1/8 when making a break, had just about caught the field when breaking on turn two, showed good foot when flat the last half. IT IS WELL left, was looking to get in second when bearing way out, recovered and settled third, again bore very wide ¾. COMELETUSADOREHIM broke for the first time off the first turn. MR TEE broke at the ¼.
THIRTEENTH RACE – BILBO HANOVER made the lead early, took up to the 3/8 to let a foe go then came back to go to the lead at the ½, shook off the first-over, was all-out to hold the late surge of BULLVILLE TERROR, but after an inquiry was placed because in taking back going to the 3/8 he bothered that rival. BULLVILLE TERROR left and went into the pocket past the 1/8, had to check to the 3/8 as the pacesetter took back in letting another horse go, was caught third-in, found room before midstretch and came with a big late surge, placed first. JANAID was double-looped, went up to take over 3/8, yielded at the half for the pocket, to the Pocono Pike but made no gain. JAGGER ROCKS was third-over and followed cover three-wide on the turn, did well late. LUZIANA came out to the 3/8, briefly wide then settled behind cover, three-wide midturn, flattened some. AMERICAN COLT N did not factor. CAN’T KNOCK ME was a little off the gate, never a major consideration. A BETTOR BEACH pulled at the 3/8, soon had cover, lost it at the half, challenged, tired through the last ¼.
May 3, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Stretch headwind to start; intermittent small moisture during the card … GUINNESS PANIC moved out at the half, three-wide at the 5/8 and circled to first-over late backstretch, engaged the leader, took over early stretch, held off GRIFFON HANOVER. The latter tried to follow the winner wide but gapped, did get to two-wide ¾, got in gear in the stretch a little too late. BAMSKI looked at leaving but took back to tuck, stayed in, got clearance far down in the Pocono Pike, closed well. J B MAUNEY N refused to give up the lead through fast fractions and a couple of challenges, tired in the lane. ROCK THREE TIMES sat in, had some pace as the tempo slowed. KAUAI KING left, went in the pocket 3/16 and kept it tight the first half, gapped a bit the third quarter, wasn’t passing the leader so stayed out of the Pocono Pike, then evenly in tight late. ARTISTS RUFFLES never factored. BAY MEADOWS was very wide leaving, three-wide to the 3/16 then two-wide and challenged at a hot clip, looped past the 5/8 and fell back.
SECOND RACE – YES DOUBLE DOWN moved out off the second turn and was not long after following cover, three-wide towards late on the turn, went by not looking like a $110.00 winner. NARINA HANOVER was a bit off her cover third-over, found her best kick a little too late. CHIPPER DAISY moved to the outside to the 5/8, stayed on pretty well. CASIE’S BELIEVER sat in and gained down the back, to the deep Pocono Pike with some pace. NO WHERE TO HIDE went right to the lead and went at a good clip, tired. JUXTA COWGIRL had a good pocket trip, no response late. MOONLIGHTANDROSES never factored.
THIRD RACE – HUNTSVILLE PLACE let between horses to the lead 3/16, yielded 5/16, retook just past the half, had a clear advantage most of the stretch. BUILDING BOOST stayed in, finished solidly up the inside. BUCHANNON HANOVER was three-wide to the 3/16 then two-wide to the 5/16 in pursuit of the lead, yielded past the ½ but stayed close until the stretch, fell back only a little. OUTWIT OUTRUN moved uncovered at the ½, then was second-over, three-wide past midturn as his cover tired, not that much late. ZEUS HANOVER was not prominent. BACK IN MY DAY gapped at the back. JITTERBUG FLIP pushed the early action, yielded, followed the winner out then was left raw, challenged, tired significantly the last 1/8.
FOURTH RACE – NEWSBOY left and sat in the two-hole, to the Pocono Pike and looked to be going by even before PADRE broke. The latter went right to command, slowed the half, was trying to find more when breaking midstretch and ran home, placed for a double lapped-on break. FLANAGAN DESTINY was hard to take back to last near the ¼, was against the pegs for about three steps then started uncovered from last, grinded up a long, long way, showed very admirable gameness – one to watch. BOASTER COASTER backed out to second-over 3/8, gapped cover late backstretch, found his best strides too late. ARMANI HANOVER came off the rail midturn and went three-wide to headstretch but didn’t have much punch. GOLDEN GLIDER sat in, went evenly in the stretch. THE OTHER DUO were never factors.
FIFTH RACE – Light rain, and diminished winds … SUMMER RAE came out from fourth before the ¼ and soon had the lead, went 26.4 down the back to leave this field behind in a big mile. COOLNCALCULATING N was three-wide just past the 1/8 to the lead 3/16, yielded for the pocket, went loose 5/8 in the fast third split but stayed much closer than anyone else did. TRAFFIC JAM finally had room to angle out midstretch and won a three-way photo for third. SPEAKING OF COFFEE vacated fourth late on the turn, fair. WINNING WORDS was looped leaving, was between horses until getting the early pocket towards the 3/16, gapped in third 11/16. THE NEXT TWO never were factors. BUFFALO HEART came raw from sixth before the half, didn’t gain, then fell back some.
SIXTH RACE – SHEZAFREAKLIKEME insisted on the early lead in a 26.2 split then lowered the second quarter 4 3/5 seconds, met a challenger and took off in the last quarter. BROOKDALE JESSIE sat in third, outside early stretch and was moving well late. TSM PRINCESS TEDDI backed off when seeing the winner was not ceding control, two-hole 3/16, gave a little ground in the last 3/16. WHO’S SMOKIN N stayed in, didn’t achieve prominence. CATIE FAYE HANOVER circled a gapper then went right on first-over in a mild middle half, faltered in the last quarter. PRICELESS SHADOW backed out to second-over into turn two but gapped. THE LAST TWO couldn’t keep pace.
SEVENTH RACE – KEYSTONE THUNDER worked up to take control off the first turn, did not want to yield and got a challenger to take the pocket to the second turn, had pressure from the first-over from just past the 5/8 and had others join in the stretch chase, but held gamely (last quarter 30.3). ANDOVERS TOUCH spotted, came uncovered at the half and applied steady pressure on the leader, just missed. ALEXANDER HANOVER made the lead into the first turn, yielded, couldn’t keep the pocket shut past the 3/8, third-in, angled out the first half of the stretch and had trot on the end. SCIROCCO PATRICK was third-over, gapped on the turn, then had to angle inside a breaker early stretch, moving fastest of all late. CAJOLE HANOVER was on the move before the ¼, couldn’t clear and did get the two-hole towards the second bend, didn’t threaten late. GINGER TREE KNOX did not pose a threat. LANDONFITZ was second-over, gapped a little then got tighter on the turn, swinging wide headstretch but lost gait. PEE WEE HANOVER disconnected the last half.
EIGHTH RACE – MILIEU HANOVER got a great second-over trip from seventh, three-wide headstretch and beat out a stubborn A BETTER GAME. The latter launched uncovered 3/8 and grinded up, may never have had the lead but steady and game to the finish. ALTA MADEIRA N was third-over, stayed on the winner’s back a ways into the stretch, gaining. DELIGHTFUL SUMMER wound up in the pocket after a lineup minus a breaker, Pocono Pike, couldn’t rally enough. BEACH CRAZY left, saw his main early rival break at the 1/8, really backed off quarter two, didn’t have enough strength at crunch time. DRESDEN stayed in, room in the deep Pike but not enough. GALLERIA GAL stayed in, gapped ¾ then got tighter, made up some ground before being shut off near the wire. TIAMOGONEDANCEN was going up to challenge going to the first turn but took a bad step, was taken wide and back to last.
NINTH RACE – WHAT A DAME pulled from fourth 3/16 and went on to command 3/8, faced the pressure of first-up SHARE THE WEALTH and held gamely. The latter was innermost of three leavers and protected the early pocket, pulled raw from third 9/16 and grinded away solidly, very good race. CASH INFUSION was third-over, had gapping cover from the 5/8 but did not go three-wide until late on the turn, flying late. BLESSINGSANDFAVOR was three-wide almost to the 1/8, crossed to the lead beyond that spot, yielded for the pocket 3/8, Pocono Pike, just a bit shy. TRAIN was between horses leaving and tucked third at the 1/8, inside, moved out in the stretch and did OK. BY A HOFF HANOVER left a slight gap most of the way, not too much late. SCIROCCO BIG JOHN didn’t get in the main hunt. CAPITAL T STORM moved out before the half, soon got cover, but soon wasn’t keeping up with it.
TENTH RACE – BRAVO TEX N was looped and three-wide early, took back, then was second-over, three-wide midturn, didn’t look like he was going to make it upper stretch, but dug in and gradually wore down SULLIVAN in a game showing. The latter left four-wide to loop the field, yielded past the ¼ but was quick on the retake, went 26.4 down the back to try to lose the field, a tactic which worked except against the game winner. CLASSIC PRO was looped two-wide and pressed on to quarter command, yielded, loose in the fast third split, to the Pocono Pike, had to settle for third. YOUMAKEMYHEARTSING followed the winner but could not match late steps with him. AMERICA’S GUEST, on a line on the turns, moved raw at the half, gained a little in the quick third split, then backed off. CHICKEN NUGGET was at the back throughout.
ELEVENTH RACE – PRIMARY COLORS made a sharp move at the ¼ to the lead 3/8, came his last quarter in 27 to withstand the persistent challenge of DONTPASSME HANOVER. The latter was uncovered towards turn two, went his last half in 55, lost a little ground straightening onto the stretch but tried hard to the wire. BARRYWHITE HANOVER was parked past the 1/8 for the lead, yielded 3/8, stayed close until the stretch, beat out the rest. DIVINE RIGHT was last in fourth-over, four-wide stretch and finished strongly. MOVE THE LINE yielded, sat in, evenly in the sprint home. PARKLANE TERROR was second-over, did not go wide on the turn, not quite enough quick speed late. BLOODHOUND got forward position, sat in, shuffled, out in a blindswitch headstretch, searched for room to split horses to no avail. SOLARCTIC was third-over, three-wide late turn, no late kick.
TWELFTH RACE – TUESDAY MORNING came grinding off the second turn, made the lead in midstretch, held off BANZAI AS from off her back. The latter as noted was second-over, gapped a bit, was moving well late. PAPI HANOVER left and forced tucks, rated the half, got pressure, could not hold on. CAN’T SAY NO took the pocket to the 1/8, a trifle loose much of the last half, Pocono Pike, came up shy. POSSESS THE STONE tucked third, OK midtrack late. GOLDEN GENES was last, wide in the stretch, a little at the end. PRAIRIE VALUE and MUFASA AS gapped in the last half.
THIRTEENTH RACE – WAR-N-MUNN, briefly three-wide early, went on to take control 3/16, slowed the half, sprinted home in 27, just enough to hold off CAVIART ROCKLAND. The latter went to the top then yielded to the winner, stayed tight, didn’t tip out until nearing midstretch, then finished with a big surge to just miss by a diminishing margin. OURRHYTHMNBLUES N was forwardly-placed, gapped far turn, next. STATEMENT MADE A gapped on the first turn then tighter, not prominent; nor was CIGAR SMOKING TONY. SEXY BLUE CHIP rode outside midpack without getting close. TERRY A HANOVER had cover, tried to circle it before the ¾ but didn’t have too much in the sprint home.
FOURTEENTH RACE – GRANT ME THIS kept a hole closed to the 3/16, made a burst at the half to clear by the 5/8, kept rolling to emerge the winner. JERICHO DIVA was third-over then second-over then first-over to the ¾, was moving well at the wire. CRUISIN THRU TIME had to back off to tuck fourth 3/16, came out with cover, left uncovered 5/8, tucked in the pocket to the ¾, not enough kick late. TSM ARTEMIS T joined the flow and had some late pace. RELLA TIVITY left well from the rail, set the pace until challenged down the back, gave ground from the 5/8. RHYME N ROLL was away in the pocket, rethought a quarter-move, out of gas past midbackstretch. SWEET SALLY SUE began losing contact 3/8. SHADY MEMORIES broke entering the second turn.
